Local lakes advocates want restoration act passed

July 1, 2008 2:37:18 PM PDT

Local environmental groups are calling on Congress to protect the Great Lakes by passing the Clean Water Restoration Act. They were joined Tuesday morning in Chicago by Congressman Dan Lipinski and others who support the act.

The law would require that the clean water act protections apply to all water from streams and wetlands in the Great Lakes region, protecting the waters from pollution and other harmful effects.

"Everyone has an interest in restoring the nation's waterways, whether you want to swim, fish, lie on the beach or have fresh water to drink. That's why we need to move forward right now. Congress needs to pass the restoration act so we protect our threatened water all across the country," Lipinski said.

The restoration act is expected to come up for a full House vote sometime this summer.